Battle for the Punchbowl: The U. S. 1st Marine Division 1951 Fall Offensive of the Korean War

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One Marine described an interesting aspect of the NKPA forces opposing the 1stMar Div:We were getting our position in good condition to defend it against whatevertroops came at us. One of the men spotted North Korean women on another hill.They set up knee mortars, fired at us, then moved to cover. The Japanese in theSecond World War had developed and used knee mortars. I was surprised tohear that women were fighting on the front lines. We had heard of womencarrying supplies for the North Korean Army, but not of their being involved incombat ... .35At the same time, another flight of four planes came in for a strike at the ridgelinebetween How and Hill 602, an enemy route of approach. This was followed by a secondfour-plane strike at 1730 at enemy troops in the open and against some bunkers on602. Yet another strike followed, again on 602, at 1840.36The positions of 3/7 for the night were much the same as the night before. TheBattalion OP was just southwest of Hill 516 along with the forward ammo dump. Fox 2/7was put under 3/7's operational control at 1100 that morning. Its position that night wason Talsal Lyang, a village south of the LD, for two platoons. The other platoon was onObjective A.37NKPA troops had attacked from Hill 602 with as many as 500 men. Artillery fireand the airstrikes ended the enemy's immediate enthusiasm for counterattack at dusk,but little sleep could be had because of enemy mortar and artillery harassment.38That night, the orders went out for the following day. The Marines of 3/7 were toattack and seize 602 with George Company, the least-hit company, in the assault. H-hour was set for 0700. The Marines of 1/7 were again to patrol and support 3/7 with fire.35 Oral Memoir of Jon Charles Genrich.36 Third Battalion, Seventh Marines, "Historical Diary," September 1951, 3.37 Ibid.; Seventh Marine Regiment, "Historical Diary," September 1951, 1.38 Lynn Montross, et al., The East-Central Front, 178-179; 1st Mar Div, "Historical Diary," September 1951,5-6.